Orangeo: Tackling Dover crime requires multifaceted effort

I am writing as a concerned resident of the city of Dover and would like to express my growing frustration that violent crime remains a serious and visible problem in our community and that I have not seen a clear, coordinated response from the mayor and Dover police chief.

Over the past several years, I have observed gun violence, homicides, prostitution, drug dealings in plain view, robberies and increased incidents of property crime downtown; safety concerns in residential neighborhoods; and a lack of visible police patrols in certain areas. These issues are not isolated; they affect families, businesses and the overall quality of life in our city. The crime has created an atmosphere of fear among residents and disrupted the sense of safety in our community.

I believe that addressing violent crime requires a multipronged approach, including:

• Increased community policing and foot patrols in high-crime areas.
• Investment in neighborhood safety programs and youth engagement initiatives.
• Transparent reporting and public updates on crime trends and enforcement actions.

I respectfully request that the mayor:

1. Schedule a public forum or town hall to discuss the city’s crime reduction strategy and a timeline for implementation.
2. Provide a written update on the steps being taken to address violent crime, including departmental action plans and measurable goals.
3. Engage with community leaders, law enforcement and residents to co-develop targeted safety measures. Don’t rely only on police metrics; find ways to generate data directly from the community.

The mayor and chief need to be as transparent as possible.

Remember: “A true leader fixes problems” doesn’t mean they fix all of them but, at a minimum, tries. The citizens of Dover deserve better.

Louie Orangeo

Dover

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